Mutharika wins Malawi’s disputed presidential vote

Background from left to right, Chief Justice Richard Banda, his wife, Malawi President Joyce Banda, and younger sister Anjimile Mtila-Oponyo, during voting, queue to cast their votes in the eastern district of Zomba, Malawi. ( Source: AP)

Democratic Progressive Party leader Peter Mutharika has been declared the winner of Malawi’s disputed presidential election after defeating President Joyce Banda.

Mutharika, the brother of former president Bingu wa Mutharika, took 36.4 per cent of the votes cast against Banda’s 20.2 per cent, the electoral commission said.

The results were announced on Friday minutes after the high court refused a last-ditch attempt to block their release and allow time for a recount.

Electoral commission chief Maxon Mbendera declared Mutharika “president-elect” after last week’s vote, which Banda said was marred by “serious irregularities” and “null and void”.

The results showed that Banda was beaten into third place by Lazarus Chakwera of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), who garnered 27.8 per cent of the vote.

Party spokeswoman Jessie Kabwila said the MCP, which had made the bid for a recount, would challenge the results in court.

“We are disappointed because this is not a credible election. We will fight through legal means…we are not taking this lying down.”

Mutharika is set to take the reins of the impoverished southern African country under the shadow of a treason charge.

The 74-year-old brother of former president Bingu wa Mutharika is accused of attempting to conceal his brother’s death in office two years ago in an attempt to prevent Banda -then vice-president – from assuming power.

Banda prevailed and took office as decreed by the constitution, booting the former foreign minister out of the administration.

Mutharika, a law professor and former cabinet minister, faces additional counts of inciting a mutiny and conspiracy to commit a felony, along with other officials.

The trial is still pending, but analysts say it is likely the case will be set aside as Malawi’s presidents enjoy immunity from prosecution as long as they are in office.

There is speculation that once Mutharika is in power he could turn the tables on Banda and have her charged with corruption over a USD 30 million graft scandal dubbed “Cashgate”.

Banda has claimed the credit for uncovering the fraud, which saw aid money syphoned into top government officials’ pockets. But critics, including Mutharika, say the funds went into her party’s election war-chest.

“Banda did everything in her power to prevent Mutharika from becoming president… and then bringing charges against her,” said Clive Gabay of the Queen Mary University of London.